2024 ANNUAL REPORT
Flagship research project
Creating science for the protection of the marine environment
The Marine Science Program (PCM for its acronym in Spanish) is the set of projects executed by IHCantabria, within the framework of the Complementary Plan for R+D+i in Marine Sciences, financed by the European Union (through
NextGenerationEU funds), the Ministry of Science and Innovation (through the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan) and the autonomous communities of Andalusia, Balearic Islands, Canary Islands, Cantabria, Valencian Community, Galicia and Region of Murcia.
Challenge
Spain has nearly 8,000 kilometers of coastline. Its biodiversity constitutes one of the greatest scenic riches in Europe and has an impact on the country’s economy. It is therefore urgent to protect marine ecosystems in a context of climate change and ocean pollution.
Solution
Improve our knowledge regarding the observation and monitoring of the marine and coastal environment, and generate sustainable Blue Economy opportunities, through projects that are aligned with the 2030 Agenda and the Decade of the Oceans.
Results
The PCM’s research projects have made significant progress, which is reflected in the publication of more than 10 scientific articles in high impact journals, as well as in the formulation and development of 7 doctoral theses. Among other results, access to existing databases has been improved, expanded and optimized; with the use of artificial intelligence techniques, advanced tools have been developed to analyze the coastline through satellite images, and a modular tool has been developed to evaluate coastal evolution. We have also created useful tools to assess the coastal protection service (provided by nature-based solutions), an ecological modeling tool that generates key environmental variables, and an online modeling system to simulate and manage oil spills. In addition, an operational system for predicting and early warning of bathing water quality has been implemented.
Funded by:
Challenge
Spain has nearly 8,000 kilometers of coastline. Its biodiversity constitutes one of the greatest scenic riches in Europe and has an impact on the country’s economy. It is therefore urgent to protect marine ecosystems in a context of climate change and ocean pollution.
Solution
Improve our knowledge regarding the observation and monitoring of the marine and coastal environment, and generate sustainable Blue Economy opportunities, through projects that are aligned with the 2030 Agenda and the Decade of the Oceans.
Results
The PCM’s research projects have made significant progress, which is reflected in the publication of more than 10 scientific articles in high-impact journals and the development of 7 doctoral theses. Among other indicators, access to existing databases has been improved, expanded and optimized. With the use of artificial intelligence techniques, advanced tools have been developed to analyze the coastline through satellite images, as well as a modular tool that evaluates coastal evolution. Also, useful tools have been created to assess the coastal protection service (with nature-based solutions), an ecological modeling tool that generates key environmental variables and an online modeling system to simulate and manage oil spills. In addition, an operational system for predicting and early warning of bathing water quality has been implemented.
Funded by:
For more information on this project, please click on the following link.
PCM members in Cantabria:
